Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – D. D. Cretton

Not a Marvel fan myself, but this entry seemed to have a few things going for it, so we checked it out.  It’s always good to see some cultural diversity in Hollywood, so the all-Asian cast was a drawcard. Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love) and Michelle Yeoh (Police Story 3: Supercop) are always worth seeing. Personally, I don’t mind Awkwafina (but I’ve only ever seen her in films), present here for comic relief, mostly. The plot is an interesting blend of tough modern action and historical fantasy (both with martial arts). Simu Liu plays Shaun/Shang-Chi who left China at age 15, fleeing his violent father (Leung, who adds nuance to his role) after his mother has died, leaving his sister behind.  We meet him 10 or 15 years later, working as an auto valet in San Francisco (with co-worker Awkwafina) and totally Clark Kent-like – until a gang of menacing guys attacks him on a moving bus (nod to Jackie Chan and Speed -- but a lot more CGI) and he buffs up and we learn his backstory. The film then shifts to Macau and then shifts again to a hidden village trapped in time and fantasy. Along the way, the story develops more and more outlandish elements until people are riding on dragons and fighting soul-sucking beasts.  I stayed with it as much as I could – about ¾ -- before it was just all kooky CGI and the usual battle between good and evil with the uplifting finale. I’ll admit I probably didn’t get any of the Marvel references (who is Benedict Wong supposed to be?) but this was mostly fun.